How much variability in steering wander from Jeep to Jeep

[ILikeYourHat]

I've test driven 3 Gladiators so far. The Sport, the Mojave, and the Rubicon. The Sport and Mojave drove pretty well for what I expect a solid front axle to drive like. The Rubicon was nervous and constantly required minor steering input. Is this endemic to the Rubicon over the other trims or was that just a bad example?

If it matters, both the Mojave and Rubicon were 2020 model years but factory stock. The Sport was new. Of the 3 the Mojave was my favorite, but I'd like to know if I should eliminate the Rubicon from the running or just THAT Rubicon from the running. I'll order new vs buying used when it's time.

And, I know there's a bajillion Mojave vs Rubicon threads already. I've read half a bajillion of them. I'm not trying to debate the models, just specifically steering wander between the trims.

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[wayned]

depending on road conditions My 2021 Rubi tracks like a arrow. very little input to steering and I am coming from a 2014 wrangler with 140 on the clock.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Can drive my Sport S Max Tow with one finger. No wandering at all.

 

[Rahkmalla]

i test drove one willys auto that required some steering just to stay straight. it was a new 21 on the lot less than 100 miles. I later bought a 22 willys auto that tracked straight much better. I also test drove a willys sport manual that tracked true.

I would not eliminate the rubicon from your running until you drive at least one more. if there can be variance from willys to willys, there have to be some loose rubis out there as well. Most people prefer the Mojave ride, but there was a famously opinionated previous forum member who definitely got a bad batch mojave as well

 

[BGH]

Gotta correct some on my rubicon wheel to make it go straight. That’s the extent of my experience. Somehow it doesn’t bother me. Though I understand how it could.

 

[brewerydad]

Overinflated tires on the Rubicon you test drove could have affected the handling. Most vehicles on dealer lots have overinflated tires.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've test driven 3 Gladiators so far. The Sport, the Mojave, and the Rubicon. The Sport and Mojave drove pretty well for what I expect a solid front axle to drive like. The Rubicon was nervous and constantly required minor steering input. Is this endemic to the Rubicon over the other trims or was that just a bad example?

If it matters, both the Mojave and Rubicon were 2020 model years but factory stock. The Sport was new. Of the 3 the Mojave was my favorite, but I'd like to know if I should eliminate the Rubicon from the running or just THAT Rubicon from the running. I'll order new vs buying used when it's time.

And, I know there's a bajillion Mojave vs Rubicon threads already. I've read half a bajillion of them. I'm not trying to debate the models, just specifically steering wander between the trims.

Trim level should not matter other than the effect various tires and tire inflations can have.
Solid axle should not matter when driving on streets and highways. If you compare to a tight ratio or rack and pinion anything, yeah, it will be different, but if the steering ratio is the same on the IFS compared to solid front axle, it shouldn't matter. The alignment settings behave the same on both types.
The only variation would be on rough roads, washboard roads, rough RR tracks, uneven roads. On city streets and highways, you should not see a difference.

It's kind of interesting, really, how since the beginning of time people have said "it's tire pressure.". If that were the real case, not saying it's not INVOLVED, but if it was only that, then mine with 41 psi in our hot weather (I have not taken the time yet to let pressures down since upping pressures due to our cold snap earlier) mine should wander and be loose. I have seen zero difference at all - 35 or 40 psi, doesn't matter (my tires are supposed to be run about 35-36 according to General)

There may be variations, but one version of the Gladiator isn't inherently better or worse than another unless impacted by tire size.
Since tire size absolutely chances things, wheel backset, etc. - then look there for variations if it's not steering components. Upping the tire diameter moves the scrub toward more negative. Too much and you lose the steering feel, stability, and you have less feedback. I don't know how much these have to begin with, but any changes to wheels and tires has a direct impact on steering and steering feel and stability.

 

[Rahkmalla]

It's kind of interesting, really, how since the beginning of time people have said "it's tire pressure.". If that were the real case, not saying it's not INVOLVED, but if it was only that, then mine with 41 psi in our hot weather (I have not taken the time yet to let pressures down since upping pressures due to our cold snap earlier) mine should wander and be loose. I have seen zero difference at all - 35 or 40 psi, doesn't matter (my tires are supposed to be run about 35-36 according to General)

Can't comment on gladiators specifically or minor psi variances, but having had the misfortune of getting a 300 rental with 50psi in the tires (placard psi 32) it was all over the place wander-wise, and took bumps like a wooden wagon wheel. Surprisingly didn't set off a dash warning light though; at first I thought the 300 was just that shitty a car. After I got home I checked menus and found the pressure. Fixed it and it drove very much like what you'd expect, a soft riding hire-car. Then called Enterprise and bitched them out because 50psi was the max psi on the side wall, meaning a little more heat from miles on those wheels and I was risking a blowout.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Can't comment on gladiators specifically or minor psi variances, but having had the misfortune of getting a 300 rental with 50psi in the tires (placard psi 32) it was all over the place wander-wise, and took bumps like a wooden wagon wheel. Surprisingly didn't set off a dash warning light though; at first I thought the 300 was just that shitty a car. After I got home I checked menus and found the pressure. Fixed it and it drove very much like what you'd expect, a soft riding hire-car. Then called Enterprise and bitched them out because 50psi was the max psi on the side wall, meaning a little more heat from miles on those wheels and I was risking a blowout.

Amazing how some see that sidewall number and figure hey, here it is! Right on the tire......... that's max pressure at maximum rated load (as you already know)
50 was just plain dangerous - imagine the loss of traction for one thing, then as that air heated up.......
That suspension was working over-time - bone jarring.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Overinflated tires on the Rubicon you test drove could have affected the handling. Most vehicles on dealer lots have overinflated tires.

yeah what is up with that? My dealer gave me my new sport s with 41 in each tire cold! Door said 36……and it was like 80 degrees out…not even winter. LEaset to say I let the air out of them.

 

[sass JT]

Don’t forget most of the 2020’s came with an aluminum steering box. I guarantee that a lot of people didn’t get the fix done to the steel box. That should be a #1 look for when looking at 2020’s at least.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Don’t forget most of the 2020’s came with an aluminum steering box. I guarantee that a lot of people didn’t get the fix done to the steel box. That should be a #1 look for when looking at 2020’s at least.

All 2020s and some early 2021s came with it, but it's not a problem with all.
I would hope that if there's any 2020s out there the prior owner took care of any issues like that. But then, so many (even here) said over and over it's a jeep thing, so who knows!

 

[NachoRuby]

Mine tracks fine. Potholes will jar it, since no independent suspension, but otherwise no wander.

 

[ILikeYourHat]

Sounds like the consensus was it was just this particular Jeep, then. I'll find another to drive.

 

[NachoRuby]

Sounds like the consensus was it was just this particular Jeep, then. I'll find another to drive.

Mud tires on All Terrain? I could see that making a difference.

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